Shoot the Sound Man!

Favourite moment: When Jack boomed out the first few bars of 'Politician' @

Opening act(s): A good local trio witha lot to offer. See them in Dunkeld at the local hotel. @

Posted 14/06/2012

by Anonymous

Location:North-East Scotland

Jack Bruce and His Big Blues Band are truly stellar. Such talent in every individual. Jack interacts with each of them and the result is an unforgettable musical event. His semi-anonymous keyboard player for example, provides a rich tapestry of in-fill whilst at vital moments sparring with the maestro to tickle one's senses. This is a great band. Unfortunately, the sound engineers don't seem to be able to take account of performing in a concert hall with proper acoustics. Having seen them in Newcastle earlier in the year, I knew what mind-blowing experience to expect. However, that was a regional theatre that required some amplification. Perth Concert Hall does not! And where all Jack's lyrics (or Pete Brown's) and banter were clearly audible on Tyneside, the sound desk contrived to "pump-up the volume" so high in Perth, we had distortion and competing interference patterns. 2 notches down, and the gig would have been perfect!! That said, it was still fabulous and the virtuosity of the World's greatest rock bass player was more than evident. And he smiled and laughed throughout. If he enjoyed it, so did his fanatastic Band. The mood was infectious and the audience gasped and joined in this wonderful musical event. 5-star Mr Bruce and your cronies. But, shoot the sound man, he has no idea about acoustic performance!!

Perth Concert Hall @

- Perth @

- Sat 26 May 2012 @

Favourite moment: When Jack boomed out the first few bars of 'Politician' @

Opening act(s): A good local trio witha lot to offer. See them in Dunkeld at the local hotel. @

I've not seen Jack play for a couple of years - wasn't sure how his health and therefore his playing and singing would be. No worries! He looked well and sang/played brilliantly. His band was quite simply one of his best: great drummer in Frank Tontoh, excellent guitarist in Tony Remy, great keyboard player and a fab horn trio. The whole evening was tight throughout - and he had a little running interchange with the crowd between songs, something I've not really seen before with him. Best of all was how relaxed he looked - and this came across in his playing (he is simply a genius bass player and songwriter) and his vocals. He didn't feel the need to mention Cream other than in one song introduction and the famous/infamous connection with 'Eric' and 'Ginger' was not referenced at all. So the great man put himself forward purely on his own reputation. He played a selection of songs from pretty much his whole career to date and did not disappoint in any way. A deserved prolonged standing ovation saw an extended encore and the whole show ran for 2hr 15min. He showed younger 'stars' just how to let the music take centre stage and enjoyed himself - and the band too - in the process.

Jack Bruce newcastle 31st March

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle Upon Tyne @

- Sat 31 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: The end @

Posted 03/04/2012

by creamfan

Location:newcastle

We had been looking fwd to see Jack for some months. Oh dear how disappointed we were. The choce of support act was questionable. Very talented guy but totally the wrong type of music for the night. After enduring this for 20mins. A very unprofessional period then ensued carring out a prolonged sound check and set up for another 25mins. Why couldnt they do all this prior to starting. So everyone was frustarted by this time a shame for Jack who emerged almost 1hr later than the start time. Why dont they say on the ticket there was support act and he would start at say 8.30 every one could have had another couple of pints in the bar !As much a fan as I am (was) Jack is def over the hill very sorry to say this. His band was fantastic but at no time did his music excite me as it did once. The whole night was very unprofessional. The technicians could be seen at the side of the stage swigging on bottles thro the evening. At £30 a ticket x 2 it wasnt a cheap night. Comon Jack sharpen up your act and stop resting on your lurels. 5/10 for me mate.

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle Upon Tyne @

- Sat 31 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: The end @

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Review 4 for Jack Bruce

5/5

Great Gig

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle Upon Tyne @

- Sat 31 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: The whole event @

Opening act(s): Good, bought the CD ! @

Posted 03/04/2012

by DeGigmeister

Location:Newcastle

Great atmosphere, great musicians, great choice of songs and the man himself. What more needs to be said !

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle Upon Tyne @

- Sat 31 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: The whole event @

Opening act(s): Good, bought the CD ! @

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Review 5 for Jack Bruce

5/5

Bruce almighty

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle Upon Tyne @

- Sat 31 Mar 2012 @

Posted 03/04/2012

by Peregrin

Location:Sunderland

I have few ambitions left to be fulfilled. Out of those once harboured, most have withered through stasis and neglect, or I have grown out of them. But when I found out that one of the triumvirate founders of Cream: vocalist and base guitarist Jack Bruce, was coming to Newcastle on the final leg of his tour, I grabbed at the chance without too much effort to see one of my heroes of long standing.Need I say it? Jack and his Big Blues Band were brilliant and he was gentleman!Great too, to see Jack looking so well. I loved his rapport with the audience. Sometimes it seem acts can think themselves too big to interact with the punters.

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle Upon Tyne @

- Sat 31 Mar 2012 @

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Review 6 for Jack Bruce

5/5

Jack Bruce and his Big Blues Band

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle @

- 31/03/2012 @

Favourite moment: White Room, Spoonful and the fun the whole band seemed to have on stage @

The opening act, Samual C Lees, played an acoustic instrumental set which was excellent. They weren't on but the standard of musicianship was outstanding and the guys were hugely likeable, setting the scene for the legend that is Jack Bruce and his Big Blues Band. Jack came out for a solo effort on the keyboard which was unexpected but wonderful. Once the band members took to the stage the night erupted into virtuoso performances from everybody. An assortment of bluesy numbers leading up to a finale of Cream classics built the crowd up throughout the night. Jack was funny and sang brilliantly. The fun and enthusiasm from his backing band was great to see. All superb musicians who looked genuinely pleased to be on stage with the great Mr Bruce.The whole night was great, early on hearing songs that no one seemed to know didnt affect the night at all and Jack can still teach them kids a thing or two.

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle @

- 31/03/2012 @

Favourite moment: White Room, Spoonful and the fun the whole band seemed to have on stage @

Great show, awful audience

Opening act(s): Nice 'Gypsy Jazz' from Samual C Lees trio. I liked them so much I bought their CD. @

Posted 02/04/2012

by jorge5418

As you would expect from a great performer like Jack Bruce, the show was a nice balance of old favourites played well. Most of the crowd were enthralled and obviously keen to express their love of Jack. A tight band which included brass from Jools big band. However the evening was somewhat marred by the insensitive, selfish punters who insisted on constantly getting up and down and the really annoying old drunks who stood at the back and talked all the way though, despite being asked to shut up on severa loccasions. Whats the point of buying a ticket, not using the seat, then talking all the way through and spoiling others enjoyment. Anyway, overall our little party had a great night.

Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre @

- Newcastle Upon Tyne @

- Sat 31 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: The very first number with Jack at the piano. @

Opening act(s): Nice 'Gypsy Jazz' from Samual C Lees trio. I liked them so much I bought their CD. @

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Review 8 for Jack Bruce

5/5

Essential

St.David's Hall @

- Cardiff @

- 23/03/2012 @

Opening act(s): Paddy Milner @

Posted 31/03/2012

by Bill

Location:s.wales

I'm a music lover with a particular fondness for the blues and I've seen a few great live bands. I had high expectations for this one but it was actually even better than I expected. I don't know why but for me Jack's sound was even better live "in person" than on the records or DVDs. I was particularly struck with his powerful singing voice and how the full 'elastic' quality of his bass came through clear as a bell. The 'feel' was there and the band as a whole were extremely tight sounding, the drummer was remarkable and I really like a good blues / jazz band that has a brass section on stage. So for me this was unmissable and I would go see another performance. The support act artist Paddy Milner was also excellent.

St.David's Hall @

- Cardiff @

- 23/03/2012 @

Opening act(s): Paddy Milner @

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Review 9 for Jack Bruce

5/5

Jack Bruce still essential

Grand Opera House, York @

- York @

- Mon 26 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: the songs from Songs From A Tailor, Spoonful and Neighbour Neighbour @

Setlist: Can You Follow, Sunshine Of Your Love, Spoonful, Born Under A Bad Sign, Theme From An Imaginary Western, We're Going Wrong, You Burned The Tables On Me, Morning Story, Tickets To Waterfalls, Weird Of Hermiston @

Opening act(s): J J Grey & Mofro @

Posted 28/03/2012

by Deadhead2012

Location:Leeds West Yorkshire

Excellent concert with high standard of musicianship. Good humour from Jack Bruce with a particularly amusing (to some of us) comment about Winifred Atwell. A song from his era with The Graham Bond Organisation, some Cream songs (as expected) and several songs from his (in my opinion, best) first two solo albums. The Big Blues Band were solid and inventive. Jack Bruce himself played exemplary bass guitar, of course, and was in pretty good voice. He can still show the youngsters of today, who seem to achieve fame very quickly without paying their dues and then disappear equally quickly, how it is done. Like a good 60s trouper, he took a proper bow at the end of the concert. A great, great evening, thanks.

Grand Opera House, York @

- York @

- Mon 26 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: the songs from Songs From A Tailor, Spoonful and Neighbour Neighbour @

Setlist: Can You Follow, Sunshine Of Your Love, Spoonful, Born Under A Bad Sign, Theme From An Imaginary Western, We're Going Wrong, You Burned The Tables On Me, Morning Story, Tickets To Waterfalls, Weird Of Hermiston @

Opening act(s): J J Grey & Mofro @

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Review 10 for Jack Bruce

4/5

Great show

Pyramid and Parr Hall @

- Warrington @

- Sat 24 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: All of it was brilliant, but a special mention should be given to the incredible solos by drummer and lead guitarist @

Setlist: Spoonful, White room, Born under a bad sign .... and so on @

Opening act(s): Garron Frith - acoustic guitarist/singer. @

Posted 26/03/2012

by giggoinggirl

Location:Bridgnorth

Jack Bruce did not disappoint and nor did his band - excellent musicians all round! At 68, Jack doesn't quite have the voice he had in his Cream days, but that really didn't matter - he can still play bass guitar like a pro. He started the show with some lesser known pieces, warming us up for the string of old Cream classics which I suspect most of the audience had come for. Fabulous!

Pyramid and Parr Hall @

- Warrington @

- Sat 24 Mar 2012 @

Favourite moment: All of it was brilliant, but a special mention should be given to the incredible solos by drummer and lead guitarist @